Page 27 - Laker Connection Fall 2011

Cox cuts the net following the National Champi- onship win.
for the second consecutive year as the John "Whack" Hyder Women’s College Coach of the Year for the state of Geor- gia. And that was just the start of his honors.
With his team in the midst of a strong run at the national championship, Cox received the highest possible honor that a coach can at any level when he was selected on Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2011 as the Russell Athletic/WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Associ- ation) Division II National Coach of the Year, becoming the first Clayton State head coach ever in any sport to earn a National Coach of the Year honor.
The WBCA award was actually Cox’
Cox addresses the media following the biggest win in Clayton State history.
third postseason honor of the season, as he was also selected Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year for the second time during his tenure at Clayton
25, in the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame’s annual Awards and Induction Cere- mony, held at the Cultural Arts Center in Roswell. Clayton State received one of two “Stars of the Year” awards for its na-
tional championship, along with the girls’ tennis team from Walton High School in Marietta.
Prior to joining Clayton State, Cox served for six years as the head coach at Daytona Beach Community Col- lege, and as the head coach at Va- lencia Community College in Orlando, Fla., for eight years. His overall record at the junior college level is an impressive 291-138 for a win-
ning percentage of .678.
Cox earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., and was captain of the basketball team his senior year. He later earned a master’s degree in ex- ercise physiology and wellness from the University of Central Florida.
And he’s earned a national champi- onship at Clayton State.
State. And, there was coming as well. With the national champi- onship in hand, it was announced on Tues- day, Mar. 29 that Cox had been selected as the 2011 Schelde North America/Women’s Divi- sion II Bulletin Coach of the Year.
“The talent level in
Division II basketball
has never been higher,
so coming out on top
with a national title is a
major coaching accom-
plishment. Dennis did a
great job with his team
this season as is most deserving of this honor,” said Women’s Division II Bulletin editor and publisher Gary Rubin.
“The award dates back to 1993 and he joins a long list of distinguished win- ners. Along with Schelde North Amer- ica, we are pleased to recognize him for his achievement and hard work.”
Cox and his championship team were also honored on Saturday, June
a fourth honor
Below: Cox coaching during the Clayton State vs. Michigan Tech game. Below Right: Cox is inter- viewed by an ESPN reporter. The Clayton State vs. Michigan Tech game was broadcast on ESPN2.
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